Structural corner post and framing system for buildings

ABSTRACT

The building structure utilizes prefabricated frame components of equal heights in forming the external and internal framing systems. The basic frame components include a structural post, blank wall frames, window frames, door frames and end caps. Each of the frame components is elongated and is provided with a laterally extending elongated male connector along one vertical edge and a pair of horizontally extending structural members at the top and bottom of the frame component forming a female receptacle on the other vertical edge whereby the male connector on each of the frame components fits into the female receptacle of an adjacent frame component and is secured thereto. Each frame component has load bearing capabilities and may be used interchangeably as members of interior or exterior walls. Each frame component utilizes manufactured elements which are commercially available and which require a minimum amount of work thereon, if any, in order to utilize same in the frame components. Identical manufactured parts are utilized in assembling the frame components and there is a regular rhythm of spacing the vertical studs or members of the frame components to insure &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on center&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; dimensions when compared with present panel constructions. In erecting the frame components, there is a constant repetition of identical components with the male connector of one component mating with a femal receptacle on adjacent components and thereafter the components are tied mechanically together. Outer sheathing and inner wall boards are secured to the external and internal frame structures. Ceiling boards are secured to the roof trusses provided on the framing system.

[451 Nov. 27, 1973 1 1 STRUCTURAL CORNER Pos T AND FRAMlNG SYSTEM FOR BUILDINGS [75] Inventors: Richard W. Matuschek,

Birmingham; William Garth, Jr., Sterling Heights, both of Mich.

[73] Assignee: Univiron Corporation, Southfield,

Mich.

221 Filed: May 17, 1972 21 Appl.No.:254,031

[5 7] ABSTRACT The building structure utilizes prefabricated frame components of equal heights in forming the external and internal framing systems. The basic frame components include a structural post, blank wall frames, window frames, door frames and end caps. Each of the frame components is elongated and is provided with a laterally extending elongated male connector along one vertical edge and a pair of horizontally extending structural members at the top and bottom of the frame component forming a female receptacle on the other vertical edge whereby the male connector on each of [52] US. Cl 52/206, 52/90, 52/238, the frame components fits into the female receptacle 52/264, 52/281, 52/284, 52/286, 52/301 of an adjacent frame component and is secured [51] Int. Cl E04b 2/70 r E h ram omp nent has load bearing ca- [58] Field of Search 52/280, 497, 586, pabilities n m y be d in erch ngeably as mem- 52/593, 595, 592, 284, 285, 286, 301, 282 bers of interior or exterior walls. Each frame component utilizes manufactured elements which are com- [56] References Cited mercially available and which require a minimum UNITED STATES PATENTS amount of work thereon, if any, in order to utilize same in the frame components. Identical manufac- 5232 3;? 511328 g' y 'g'g Q tured parts are utilized in assembling the frame com- 3:665:662 5 1972 Timbrook 52/281 PomntS and there is a regular rhythm Spacing the 2,3 3 352 1 1944 flan k 52/497 X vertical studs or members of the frame components to 2,521,381 9 1950 Linck 52/280 x ins e ent r dimensi ns when compared with 1,236,635 8/1917 Wells 52/280 X present panel constructions. 3,462,897 8/1969 Weinrott 52/285 17 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott 7' Assistant ExaminerLeslie A. Braun Attorney-Charles R. Rutherford Patented Nova 27, 1973 3,774,362

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Patented Nov. 27, 1973 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

Patented Nov. 27, 1973 Patented Nov. 27, 1973 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 27, 1973 3,774,362

8 Sheets-Sheet 8 STRUCTURAL CORNER POST AND FRAMING SYSTEM FOR BUILDINGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION During the past decade there have been programs designed for lowering the cost of constructing buildings. The emphasis of such programs is placed primarily on buildings designed for residential use. Individual entrepreneurs as well as large industrial and commercial firms have attempted to find solutions to the problem of constructing economical buildings and houses. The avowed objective of each program is to produce a better house for less cost.

The term manufactured housing has been used during the last several years. The basic assumption is that only by building houses in factories can solutions be found to rising costs. Such an assumption indicates a misunderstanding of the term manufactured housing as well as its meaning. It is submitted that houses cannot be manufactured any more than an automobile or a toaster is manufactured. Automobiles and toasters are assembled from parts that are manufactured. Thus buildings and houses are assembled and not manufactured.

Only parts can be manufactured i.e. made by machine. Only a high volume of identical parts makes manufacturing economical. Manual operations are rarely replaced by a machine operation until the market for such parts made by man reach a potential volume that will not only provide a return on the investment in the machine but in addition will yield a profit.

The baisc problem with housing is not that there is too little manufacturing; but, too much. Every single component that a house requires is already. being manufactured in factories. Too frequently these products are simply manufacturing blanks in the hands of the builder and the subcontractors who practice their craft by re-manufacturing with their ancient hand tools what machines produced. Some products are used in a house precisely as they were manufactured or factoryassembled, products such as nails, switch plate covers, toilets, appliances and doorknobs. But the products that are used in framing the house and covering the frame are typically measured, marked, and cut. Until then the 2 X 4 inch lumber, gypsum board, insulation batt and exterior siding may never have been handled by man. Even such a mundane item as a pine 2 X 4 inches is a product of a capital-intensive, highly sophisticated processing industry and it comes to the carpenter in a far more finished, dimensionally true state than its hand-hewn predecessor did not toomany years ago. However, by the time the carpenter is finished measuring, marking, sawing, drilling, notching, routing, shimming and otherwise remaking the lumber, much of the manufacturing economies inherent in that piece of lumber are lost. A person rarely finds a high enough quantity of such parts in a house that are precisely identical to attract somebody to manufacture the parts in final form.

It is on individual parts that the present invention focuses. If housing is to be revolutionized, the emphasis must be placed on every single component that goes into the production of the building. Only by offering industry high volume of identical parts can housing attract the investment required for even more sophisticated machines than are presently available; lure technologies that exist but are not being applied to housing;

and, unleash the research and development expenditures that must be forthcoming if housing is to catch up with at least the machine, if not the space age.

Most manufactured housing firms concentrate almost exclusively on trying to achieve substantial labor savings vis-a-vis conventional, on-site construction. The techniques used, however, are usually limited to hiring non-skilled workmen so that lower-than-field wages can be paid. The materials being used and the methods of fabrication are customarily the same as one finds on a conventional building site. There are several fallacies in this approach. Among them, as discussed hereinafter, is the assumption that reducing labor costs alone will more than offset the investment and cost penalties that builders incur when they elect to build houses in factories. These cost or investment penalties versus conventional construction firms come in the form of land and building for the plant; tooling; administrative and production overhead; special freight problems and costs; and, the unique unique for the construction industry problem of having to selffinance their entire inventory. Perhaps the most serious but least acknowledged penalty comes in the form of restrictions on design. The manufactured house is frequently so unattractive aesthetically that it borders on being non-competitive at any price.

The most serious error that housing manufacturers typically make is exaggerating labors share of the total cost of construction. Analyses by the Kaiser Commission outline construction costs of single-family residences as: labor 18 percent; material 38; development 30; overhead and profit 14; for a total percent.

By extrapolation, the analysis suggests that 8 percent of the l8 percent of labor input is associated directly with development, c. g. excavating and building foundations, back-filling, hooking up utilities. The balance of labor costs only 10 percent of total costs is associated directly with the structure; only this portion can be moved into a plant. Even if in-plant operations could yield a 50 percent reduction in labor costs, the net impact on total costs would be only 5 percent. The effect on total monthly occupancy costs is even less impressive. A 50 percent reduction in house-related labor would lower a homeowners monthly costs by less than 3. percent. In search of such savings, however, it is common to. make a substantial investment in plant, tooling and equipment. These costs, plus the other cost penalties referred to earlier, are severe handicaps for the housing manufacturer because they are all in excess of what his competitor the traditional builder has invested. Just amortizing the investment and paying for the highoverhead (again, relative to his competition) will more than offset any labor savings, and it is not clear whether he is even achieving the latter.

Because of inadequate analysis of the trade-offs between the immense investment in plant and (theoretical) labor savings, large losses have been experienced by otherwise capably managed companies who have ventured into manufactured housing. Many have ceased to dobusiness in the housing field because of serious financial losses.

There are two principal categories of firms which are attempting to build houses in factories: (a) those which assemble the entire house in the factory, usually in two sections, truck it to a site, set it on its foundation, and make final connections; and (b) those classified as component manufacturers; the latter customarily take one of two forms, or perform both types of operations:

1. Component manufacturers fabricate whole walls, complete with insulation and wiring, windows and doors, and exterior and interior wall sheathing installed in the factory. Usually cranes are required for final assembly of the wall components on site; and

2. Other component manufacturers fabricate smaller sections of the wall, usually referred to as panel manufacturers, with sheathing, insulation, wiring and exterior siding left for installation on site.

The latter type of operation is most akin to the subject invention in the sense that the product of such a component manufacturer typically follows a modular scale. The panels usually are offered in lengths such as 2 feet, 4 feet, and 8 feet. Such panels are, however, usually closed at both ends. As a result, there are material cost penalties since there is a doubling up of end studs where two panels abut. Also, this type of joint and internal assembly complicates their assembly and the engineering of assembly tools and processes. The main reason is that a regular rhythm of spacing between studs is not maintained; i. e. on center dimensions are not constant. This kind of a butt joint also requires in some applications special efforts to insulate the butt seam. Of course, manufacturing and assembly economies are reduced to their lowest level by those panel fabricators who build any size panel that a customer may choose to specify.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the use of prefabricated frame components used in the erection of the internal and external framing systems of houses, low-rise apartments, office buildings, light industrial buildings and schools.

The basic framing components include a structural column or corner post, blank wall assemblies or wall frames, window frames and door frames and end caps. The framing structure or system utilizes top and bottom horizontal framing parts (plates) that are of the same dimension. Vertical support members or studs are located on center and vary in length only when used to support sills in windows or door frames. Each of these components has load-bearing capabilities and may be used as members of interior or exterior walls, interchangeably.

Comer support and structural integrity are provided by the column or corner post designed to receive the male end of the framing component from one side and, at a 90 angle to the male, a female end of another framing member or component. The corner post may be reversed, i.e., turned upside down, and used for a reverse configuration of wall members. This permits the same column or corner post to be used for inside or outside corners without modifications required for the column or the sub-assemblies that abut it. The same corner post without modifications is also used in certain applications for joining intersecting members of interior walls. Any one of the framing members or components may be connected at right angles to any other by simply inserting the male end or connector anywhere next to or between the vertical members along the horizontal plane of the member or component which it is joining or by abutting the female end to the member or component anywhere along the horizontal plane. The end cap is used to close the female end or female receptacle of a wall member or frame component as may be required in some applications. It is identical in length to the vertical supports or studs used in the frame components.

The various frame components are joined together via a C-type butt joint on the horizontal plane that overlaps a vertical support member or stud both at the top andbottom. Various frame components are connected together with the conventional top plate, each section of which would butt approximately 12 inches or more from any butt joint formed by the wall members or frame components.

The framing system requires as few as eight different parts from which all components can be assembled, namely the post, blank wall members, window frames, door frames, and the end caps. The system includes a constant repetition of identical parts which are manufactured in volume. Use of identical parts is the absolute prerequisite for economical manufacturing. Production capability is increased since eight machines, very simple in design, could be used to make the eight parts. Tooling costs would beminimized since each machine performs only one operation, which typifies the least expensive and most efficient machine of all.

In the framing system there is a regular rhythm of spacing between full length, vertical wall members or components which makes assembly particularly easy. Sheathing may be applied to the framing system with virtually no modification required in most instances. This permits manufactured materials such as the typical 4 X 8 foot gypsum and insulation-type wall boards to be used as finished products on the framing system without alterations.

Another feature of the present invention is that the framing members may be produced economically either in a plant, where the advantage may be production and inventory control, or on the building site. In addition the system is equally adaptable to a conventional stick building, as well as the typical in-plant type of operation. Depending on the size of the structure, a building could be enclosed on the site within one day thus permitting some flattening of the building cycle that results from climatic conditions and tend, therefore, to increase the overall productivity of the housing industry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a house or building structure;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner of another house or building structure, with certain parts removed or broken away to illustrate the external framing structure;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of another house or building structure, with certain parts removed illustrating the internal and external framing structures;

FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary view illustrating the manner in which a pair of framing units located at are joined together by a C-type butt joint or malefemale connection;

FIG. 5 is an exploded prespective view illustrating a corner post and a plurality of framing components or units of the framing structure prior to being joined together;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of the corner post illustrating the method of connecting two adjacent frame components to the corner post;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of the corner post illustrating the manner in which the two adjacent frame components are connected to the corner post;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the window frame;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which a pair of angularly related frame components one internal and one external, are connected;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which an internal door frame is joined to an internal or external wall frame;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view through the comer post taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a corner construction, with intermediate parts of the comer post and horizontal framing members broken away,showing the upper and lower horizontal framing members attached to the corner post;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view through a wall frame illustrating the manner in which the outer sheathings, inner wall board and ceiling panel are mounted in the framing system;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of another house or building structure illustrating the manner in which the outer sheathing and inner wall boards are attached to the framing components; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one corner of the house or building structure illustrated in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a modified frame construction for a large window opening or for a sliding door and including upper and lower horizontal bridge or spanner elements.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The house or building structure illustrated in FIG. 1 is designated by the numeral 10 and the house or building structure illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is designated by the numeral 11. The fabricated structural frame components including columns and panels, described in detail below, utilized in the building structures 10 and l l are interchangeable and can be arranged to pro vide building structures of various configurations ancl sizes.

The building structure 10, 11 is erected or assembled on a generally flat and hard surface such as a concrete slab 12. The building structure 10, 11 includes a continuous or endless external framing structure 14. and also may include an internal framing structure 16, as an example, of the type illustrated in FIG. 3. The external framing structure 14 is provided with suitable sheathing 18 on the outside surface of the framing structure 14 as will be subsequently described. In addition, suitable wall panels 20 are provided on the inside of the external framing structure 14 and on both sides of the internal framing structure 16.

Mounted on the external framing structure 14 of each building structure 10, 11 are roof trusses 22 spaced, as an example, on 24 inch centers Each roof truss 22 comprises a horizontal stringer 24 and a pair of inclined structural members 26, suitably connected at the center apex at the inner ends thereof and to opposite end portions of the stringer 24 at the outer ends thereof to provide a gable type roof structure or truss 22. Roof boards 28 are mounted on the roof trusses 22 to which is applied a suitable roofing material 30 (FIG. 1) such as asbestos shingles. It should be appreciated that the roof structure may take various shapes and be made from various materials well known in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 the external framing structure 14 consists of a plurality of standardized frames and components hereinafter referred to as the column or corner post 34, window frame 36, wall frame 38 and door frame 40. The aforementioned corner post 34, window frame 36 and wall frame 38 are also used in forming the internal framing structure 16. They only difference between the internal and external framing structure 14 and 16 is in the design of the door frame and in the use of end caps as will subsequently appear.

FIGS. 5-11 inclusive illustrate five standardized frame components utilized in the internal and external framing structures 14 and 16. The column comer post 34 as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, 11 and 12 consists of three elongated vertical studs 44, 46 and 48, of equal length, with two of the studs 44, 46 arranged parallel and spaced slightly apart a distance of one-fourth inch. The other stud 48 abuts the two parallel studs 44, 46 as shown in FIG. 7. The column 34 further includes an upper end cap or plate 50 and a lower end cap or plate 52 which are secured to the top and bottom surfaces of the column 34 respectively. One longitudinal and vertical edge portion of the column 34 forms a male connector 54 while another edge portion of the column 34, defined by the overhanging portions 56, 58 of the end caps 50, 52 respectively, forms a female receptacle 60 located at 90 from the male connector 54. The male connector 54 has an upper flat surface 62 and a lower flat surface 64. The male connector 54 has a length equal to the length of stud 48. The female receptacle 60 has a height equal to the length of stud 46 which has a surface 66 which defines the back wall of the receptacle 60.

As shown in FIG. 8, each window frame 36 consists of a pair of vertical studs 70; a bottom horizontal plate 72; a pair of intermediate horizontally extending elements or sills 74, 76, which define along with intermediateportions of said vertical studs 70 a window opening a pair of vertical bracing elements or studs 82 interposed between the lower intermediate horizontal element 76 and the bottom horizontal plate 72; a header 84 consisting of two elements 86 laid on their edges and spaced apart and mounted on top of the vertical studs 70; and a top horizontal plate 88 mounted on the header 84. As illustrated in FIG. 8 the left-hand vertical edge of the window frame 36 forms an elongated'male connector 90. The overhanging portions of the plates 72 and 88 at the right-hand vertical edge portion of the window frame 36 and the outer surface of the right stud 70 and the right end surface of header 84 forms a female receptacle 92 which is adapted to receive'the male connector on a column or comer post 34 or the male connector on an adjacent frame whether a window frame 36, wall frame 38, or door frame 40.

The bracing studs 82 are located on 16 inch centers to the three vertically extending studs 94 as shown in FIGS. 5, 9 and 10. The left-hand longitudinal edge of the wall frame 38 as shown in FIG. forms a male connector 100. The overhanging end portions of plates 96, 98 at the right-hand edge portion of the frame 38 forms a female receptacle 102 which is adapted to receive the male connector on a column or corner post 34 or the male connector on an adjacent frame whether a window frame 36, wall frame 38, or door frame 40. The wall frame 38 may be used in both the internal and external framing systems.

As shown in FIG. 5, the external door frame 40 consists of a pair of vertical stiles 105, 106, each stile 105, 106 consisting of an inner vertical stud 108 and an outer vertical stud 110. The inner vertical stud 108 is shorter than the outer vertical stud 110. The vertical studs 108, 110 of each stile are spaced apart l- /a inches. The vertical studs 108, 110 of the left stile 105 are mounted on an end cap or plate 112 while the vertical studs of the right stile 106 are mounted on a larger end cap or plate 114. An intermediate horizontal element 116 spans the space between and abuts the inner surfaces of the outer vertical studs 110 and is secured to the top surfaces of the inner vertical studs 108. A header 118 consisting of two horizontally extending elements or parts 119 are spaced apart one-half inch and are mounted on their edges across the top surfaces of the outer vertical studs 110 of the two stiles 105, 106. A top horizontal plate 120 is supported by the header 118. The left-hand edge of the door frame 40 forms a male connector 122. The overhanging end portions of end plate 114 and top plate 120 and the outersurface of stud 110 of the stile 106 at the right-hand edge of the door frame 40 (FIG. 5) forms a female receptacle 124 which is adapted to receive the male connector on a column or comer post 34 or the male connector on an adjacent frame whether a window frame 36, wall frame 38 or door frame 40.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the internal door frame 130 consists of a pair of vertical stiles 132, 134, each stile 132, 134 consisting of an inner vertical stud 136 and an outer vertical stud 138. The inner vertical stud 136 is shorter than the outer vertical stud .138. The vertical studs 136, 138 of each stile are spaced apart. The vertical studs 136, 138 of the left stile 132 are mounted on an end cap 140 while the vertical studs of the right stile 134 are mounted on a larger end cap 142. An intermediate horizontal element or plate 144 spans the space between the outer vertical studs 138 and is secured to the top surfaces of the inner vertical studs 136. A top horizontal plate 146 is mounted on the outer vertical studs 138. A bracing stud 148 is centrally located between studs 138 between the horizontal plates 144, 146. The left-hand edge of the internal door frame 130 forms a male connector, not shown. The overhanging end portions of plate 146 and end cap 142 and the outer surface of stud 138 of stile 134 at the right-hand edge of door frame 130 forms a female receptacle 150 which is adapted to receive the male connector on a column or comer post 34 or the male connector on an adjacent frame.

The various frame components as stated previously are erected and assembled on slab 12, with the door frames, window frames, wall frames and corner posts of the internal and external framing systems located according to the floor plan. After the various components are erected on the slab 12 horizontal top plates 160 are placed on top of the several frame components of the internal and external framing systems 14, 16. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top of plates 160 are superimposed on the top horizontal structural members of the frame components including structural members 120, 98, 88, 130, etc. Thereafter the conventional top plates 160 are secured to the frame components including the comer posts to tie the frame components together. The roof trusses 22 are mounted on the framing system and spaced on 24 inch centers as stated previously. Each gable type building structure includes various wall boards and sheathing at the ends of the building structure between the top plates 160 and the roof structure as represented generally by the numeral 162 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the male-female connections or C- type butt joints provided between adjacent wall components, with the conventional top plates 160 spanning the exterior framing structure 14 as well as the interior framing structure 16. Each top plate 160 has a cross section of ll inches X 3-% inches and can vary in length. Each wall component has a height of 7 feet 11 inches. The overall height from the slab 12 to the top surface of plate 160 is 8% feet.

As stated previously, the present invention utilizes certain parts manufactured in volume from commercially available lumber. Several component parts having a predetermined length and cross section are used for economy purposes. The component parts of each frame component are tied together by nails. Abutting frame components also are tied together by nails which are driven through the C-type butt connection as appears in FIG. 12. The top plates 160 are tied to the frame components by nails properly placed.

The dimensional configuration of the several parts used in the manufacture of the frame components are as follows:

Cross- No. Section Length Column 34 7'l 1" vertical studs 44,46,48 1%X3 15" 7'8" top end cap 50 4" 4" 1%" thick bottom end cap 52 4"X4" lk" thick Window Fame 36 (4'34" wide) 7'11" vertical studs l /i" 3%" 7'2 k" bottom plate 72 4'0" top plate 88 4'0" intermediate plates 74,76 3'9" vertical bracing 82 2S"(Can vary in length) header members 86 l%" 5%" 4'0" Wall Frame 38 (4%" wide) 7'] 1" vertical studs 94 I92" X395" 7'8" bottom plate 96 4'0" top plate 98 4'0" Extemal-Door Frame 40 (4'%" wide) 7' l I" outer vertical studs 1 3 g'l 7'2 /i" inner vertical studs [08 1% "X392" 6' l0%" intermediate plate 116 1%)(3 i 3'9" top plate ll" 3 /fi" 4'0" header members 118 1%"XS /Q" 4'0" left bottom end cap 112 3Vz" 3%" 1%" Hitch right bottom end cap 114 3%"X5fiz" 1%" thick lntemal Door Frame (4%" wide) 7' l l" outer vertical studs 138 1%"X3Vz" 7'8" inner vertical studs 136 l /2 3/z" 6' l0%" intermediate plate 144 l /5" 3/2" 3'9" top plate 146 l/2" 6 /i" 4'0" center brace 148 l/2 3/&" 7' /rz" left bottom end cap thick right bottom end cap 142 3 /2"X6%" 1V2" thick Vertical End Cap 94" l /2"X3 /fi" 7'8" FIGS. 13-15 inclusive illustrate the structure for assembling the outer sheathing 18 and the inner wall boards 20 to the frame components of the internal and external framing systems 14, 16. The outer sheathing 18 is commercially available in sheets of a size 4 feet X 8 feet X A inch. The sheathing 18 is erected or applied to the framing system 14 with virtually no modification requircd in most cases except to fit around door and window openings. The wall boards 20, as an example, gypsum and insulation-type wall boards, are commercially available in 4 feet X 8 feet X /2 inch sheets. The wall boards 20 are used as purchased with the exception when applied to door frames and window frames. In such instances the boards must be cut to required size.

It will be noted in FIG. 12 that after a pair of angularly related structural members 98 of adjacent wall frames 38 are tied to the corner post 34, the inner corner 166 of the upper end plate 50 and the inner comer 168 of the lower end cap 52 of corner post 34 are exposed and each provides a pair of vertical surfaces 170, 172 located at 90. Such surfaces 1'70, 172 each has'a height of l- /z inches and a width of A inch and forms a stop surface for the inner wall boards 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

The vertical surfaces 170, 172 on the corner posts 34 and the vertical studs of the several frame components provide nailing surfaces in order to connect the outer sheathing or sheets 18 and the inner wall boards 20 to the frame components. The sheathing and wall boards are manufactured in 4 feet X 8 feet X inch sheets. The boards may be arranged vertically as illustrated in FIG. 13 or horizontally. In FIG. 13 the outer sheathing 18 extends from the ground or slab 12 to a point onehalf inch below the top surface of the conventional top plate 160. The wall board 20 also extends from the slab 12 to one-half inch below the top surface of the top plate 160. The outer sheathings 18 are connected to the vertical studs of the frame components which are located on 16 inch centers. The wall boards 20 abut the vertical surfaces 170, 172 of the corner posts 34 and are connected to the vertical studs of the frame compo nents. Since the vertical studs of the internal and external framing systems 14, 16 are accurately located on 16 inch centers, the workman needs only to measure from the corner posts along each wall after the sheathings l8 and wall boards 20 are put in place in order to locate the vertical nailing surfaces provided on the vertical studs. The ceiling board 180 illustrated in FIG. 13 is in the form of a 4 feet X 8 feet X V1 inch sheet. The ceiling boards 180 abut the horizontal stringers 24 provided on the trusses 22. The edges of the ceiling boards 180 abut the top edges of the wall boards 20, with the outer surfaces of the ceiling boards 180 being flush with the outer surface of the top plates 160. The ceiling boards 180 may be secured to the horizontal stringers 24, located on 24 inch centers, by nails.

Vertical end caps 94' are utilized to close the female ends of the wall frames 38 as illustrated in FIG. 14. In addition, end caps 94' are provided in certain applications where the female ends of two or more interior or exterior wall frames 38 come together and where the female end of a wall frame 38 connects to the exterior framing system. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the manner of using nails 182 to attach the outer-sheathings 18 and wall boards 20 to the vertical studs of the interior and external framing systems 14, 16.

ner post and end caps would remain the same. The only difference would be that the vertical studs of the frame components would be increased in length or extended l- /2 inches. With such a construction the conventional top plates are eliminated in both the internal and external framing systems. To compensate for the removal of the l-% inch top plate 160 and still maintain a rough wall height of 8-% ft. (to accommodate conventional manufactured wall covering materials which commonly come in increments of 4 foot widths, 8 foot lengths and one-half inch thickness), the vertical studs of each frame component would be lengthened by l-% inches.

The 24 inch on-center pattern is gaining acceptance in the United States as members of the building trades seek effective ways of lowering construction costs without sacrificing structural integrity. With floor joists, wall studs and roof trusses all on 24 inch centers a rhythmic band of structural members rings the entire building. The present system is readily adaptable to this trend. A material cost reduction would result since the top plates 160 are eliminated in addition to one stud per each 4 foot blank wall frame. The roof trusses, located on 24 inch centers, would rest directly on the frame components.

When properly fabricated and erected the system would permit framing-in an entire structure of approximately l,5002,000 square feet within one day. Most importantly framing the walls, both interior and exterior, could be accomplished with little more than a hammer. When precisely made, components of the system square and plumb each other at time of connecting together. The entire wall structure can be erected with- -out a measuring tool or marking device, a saw, a drill,

or a square; thereby several of the most labor-intensive activities associated with building construction are eliminated. Theoretically, even a level may be unnecessary except as a quality control gauge.

The use of the framing system is not dependent upon the availability of any particular building material. As a result, the framing system could be constructed from any material that has load-bearing characteristics that may be found locally. The framing system need not be assembled by skilled tradesmen since it is particularly useful for self-help building projects or for building in areas where there is a short supply of building tradesmen. 1

Dimerisionally, the framing system is sized to accept conventional wall covering materials such as gypsum board and exterior sheathing with a minimum of modification to such products; also, to accept conventional plumbing and electrical components; and at the same time, the engineering principles incorporated make the framing system adaptable to change that may subsequently occur in any one of the frame components which require the frame for support. The vertical supports or studs can be moved closer or further apart, the plate can be lengthened or shortened or altered in other ways, as can the vertical members, in width or any other dimension, without departing from the basic concept of the invention.

The framing system incorporates a high degree of dimensional standardization, and thus lends itself readily to the design and building of simple tools for fabricating its members and for assembling its parts.

The costs of both material and labor for framing in a house or other type of building structure should be equal to or less than for conventional constructions. The framing system due in part to using manufactured parts and by locating the studs on center provides a better structure in terms of strength and the structure is adapted to be expanded without costly probing of the walls to determine stud locations. In addition the framing system permits the exchange of any one of its framing members for another (or simply interchanging existing members).

The variety of local and state building codes in the United States is considered to be a major obstacle in aggregating a national housing market from which could be derived the maximum economies available from manufacturing. With the present framing system the most stringent structural building codes in the United States as well as in neighboring countries would be met. Thus the system is universally applicable, without alienating local building departments, zoning boards, or trade unions. Due to its open type construction, the framing system accommodates state and local electrical or mechanical construction codes.

The frame construction 200 illustrated in FIG16 may be used in the building structure where a large picture type window opening or a sliding door construction is required. The frame construction 200 includes portions of a pair of wall frames 38 which are separated by an upper bridge or spanner device 204 and by a lower spanner element 205. The end portions 206 of the top and bottom plates 96, 98 of the left wall frame 38 overhang a distance of l-%inches from vertical stud 94. The vertical stud 94 of the right wall frame 38 extends or overhangs a distance of three-fourth inch.

The bridge or spanner 204 includes a pair of elongated header members 208 which are spaced apart. Each member 208 is constructed from 2 X 6 wood lumber and has an actual size of l-% inches X 5-% inches X 5 feet 2-% inches. A top plate 210 is mounted on the header members 208, with the right end portion 212 overhanging a distance of three-fourth inch whereby the end portion 212 is adapted to rest upon the top surface of stud 94 of the right wall frame 38. The top plate 210 is made of 2 X 4 wood lumber, having an actual size of linches X 3-% inches X 4 feet. The left end portions 212 of header members 208 are not covered by the top plate 210 and are adapted to fit'under the overhanging portion 206 of top plate 98 of the left wall frame 28 and to be secured thereto.

The lower spanner device 205 is made from 2 X 4 lumber and has an actual size of 1-% inches X 3- %inches X 4 feet. The right end portion of the lower spanner device 205 abuts the lower surface of the vertical stud 94 of the right wall frame 38. The end portion 206 of the lower plate 96 of the left wall frame 38 is adapted to abut the end surface of the lower spanner 205 and is secured or connected thereto by various types of fastening or connecting devices or braces, not shown.

We claim as our invention:

1. A building structure comprising an external framing system for enclosing an interior space, said framing system having at least four substantially identical load supporting comer posts which are spaced apart and vertically extending wall components, one component for each side of the building structure, extending between and secured to each pair of adjacent comer posts to define the enclosed interior space, each corner post having a vertically extending elongated column, with the ends of the column being provided with oppositely facing overhanging edge portions to form a female receptacle with an adjacent vertical surface on the column, each column having a laterally extending vertical edge portion provided with upper and lower parallel surfaces and forming a male connector, each wall component at each side of the framing system including at one vertical edge thereof a vertically extending member having a height equal to the distance between the overhanging edge portions of the opposite comer post and which is received in the opposing female receptacle of the opposite corner post between said overhanging edge portions and secured thereto, each wall component at each side of the framing system including at the other vertical edge thereof upper and lower generally horizontally extending structural members which receive the male connector on the opposite column and engage respectively the upper and lower parallel surfaces of the vertical edge portion of the opposite corner post and are secured thereto.

2. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein each wall component comprises a plurality of framing panels, said panels having identical vertical edges to permit the panels to be connected together and to the corner posts.

3. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein each wall component comprises a plurality of framing panels, each framing panel including at one vertical edge thereof a vertically extending member and at the other vertical edge thereof upper and lower horizontally extending structural members to permit the panels to be connected together and to the corner posts. 4. The building structure defined in claim 3 wherein the height of the vertically extending member and the height of the vertical space between the upper and lower structural members of each panel are equal, said panels having identical vertical edges to permit the panels to be connected together and to the corner posts.

5. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein the wall component at each side comprises a plurality of framing panels which are connected together, one of the panels at one side being in the form of a door panel,

said door panel being provided at the top and bottom at one vertical edge thereof with overhanging edge portions which are adapted to receive therebetween and to be secured to either a vertical member on an adjacent panel at said one side or the laterally extending vertical edge portion of the opposite corner post, whichever is closest, with the other vertical edge of the door panel having a vertically extending member which is adapted to fit between and to be secured to either the upper and lower horizontally extending structural members of another adjacent panel at said one side or to the overhanging edge portions of the opposite corner post, whichever is closest.

6. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein the wall component at each side comprises a plurality of framing panels which are connected together, one of the panels at one side being in the form of a window panel, said window panel being provided at the top and bottom at one vertical edge thereof with overhanging edge portions which are adapted to receive therebetween and to be secured to either a vertical member on an adjacent panel at said one side or the laterally extending vertical edge portion of the opposite corner post, whichever is closest, with the other vertical edge of the window panel having a vertically extending member which is adapted to fit between and to be secured to either the upper and lower horizontally extending structural members of another adjacent panel at said one side or to the overhanging edge portions of the opposite comer post, whichever is closest.

7. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein the wall component at each side comprises a plurality of interconnected framing panels having identical edge constructions, each of the panels at each side being provided at the top and bottom at onevertical edge thereof with overhanging edge portions which are adapted to receive therebetween and to be secured to the closest of either a vertical member on an adjacent panel at said one side or the laterally extending vertical edge portion of the opposite corner post with the other vertical edge of each panel having a vertically extending member which is adapted to fit between and to be secured to the closest of either the upper and lower horizontally extending structural members of an adja cent panel or to the overhanging edge portions of the opposite corner post.

8. The building structure defined in claim 7 wherein said panels include door, window and wall panels, with the door panels being identical, the window panels being identical and with the wall panels being identical.

9. The building structure defined in claim 7 wherein all of said panels have an identical outer peripheral configuration which permits said panels to be used interchangeably in the framing system.

10. The building structure defined in claim 9 wherein the interior space is provided with an internal framing system including one or more internal framing panels and one or more internal corner posts, if required, to divide the interior space into smaller areas, each internal framing panel having the same identical outer peripheral configuration as the panels of the external framing system and each interior corner post being identical to the corner posts used in the external framing system, each internal panel being provided at the top and bottom at one vertical edge thereof with overhanging edge portions which are adapted to receive therebetween and to be secured to the closest of either a vertical member on an adjacent internal or external panel or to the laterally extending vertical edge portion of the opposite internal corner post, with each internal panel having a vertically extending member at the other vertical edge and being adapted to fit between and to be secured to the closest of either the overhanging edge portions on an internal corner post, or to the upper and lower horizontally extending structural members of an external or internal framing panel.

1 1. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein the interior space is provided with an internal framing system including one or more wall components and corner posts if required to divide the interior space into smaller areas, each interior wall component and corner post being substantially identical to the wall components and comer posts used in the external framing systern.

12. A framing system for a building comprising the combination of a load supporting corner post having a vertically extending elongated column and a pair of vertical panels secured to opposite portions of said corner post, the top and bottom surfaces of said column being flat and parallel, each of said top and bottom surfaces being divided into first and second zones, and

upper and lower generally flat end caps overlying and being secured to the first zones of said top and bottom surfaces in parallel relation, said end caps including vertically aligned overhanging edge portions forming a female receptacle with an adjacent vertical surface on said column, said column having a laterally extending vertical edge portion including the second zones of said top and bottom surfaces, said vertical edge portion forming a male connector, one of said panels having at one edge thereof a vertical member having a height equal to the vertical distance between the aligned overhanging edge portions, the vertical member of said one panel being received in the female receptacle of said column and being secured to said end caps, the other of said panels including upper and lower horizontally extending structural members which are vertically spaced apart a distance equal to the height of the male connector'of said column, the upper and lower structural members of said panel engaging respectively the second zones of the top and bottom surfaces of said column and being secured to said male connector.

13. The framing system defined in claim 12 wherein said one panel is secured to a third panel and includes at the other edge thereof upper and lower horizontally extending structural elements which are vertically spaced apart a distance equal to the height of a vertical member provided on one edge of said third panel, said upper and lower structural members on said one panel engaging respectively and being secured to upper and lower surfaces of the vertical member on said third panel.

14. The framing system defined in claim 13 wherein said other panel is secured to a fourth panel and includes at one edge thereof a vertical member having a height equal to the vertical distance between upper and lower horizontally extending structural members provided on one edge of said fourth panel, the vertical member on said other panel extending into the space between the upper and lower structural members on said fourth panel and being secured thereto.

15. A framing system for a building comprising the combination of a load supporting corner post having a vertically extending elongated column and a pair of vertical panels secured to opposite portions of said corner post, with the ends of said column being provided with oppositely facing overhanging edge portions to form a female receptacle with an adjacent vertical surface on said column, said column having a laterally extending vertical edge portion provided with upper and lower parallel surfaces and forming a male connector, one of said panels having at one edge thereof a vertical member having a height equal to the vertical distance between the aligned overhanging edge portions, the vertical member of said one panel being received in the female receptacle of said column and being secured thereto, the other of said panels including upper and lower horizontally extending structural members which are vertically spaced apart a distance equal to the height of the male connector of said column, the upper and lower structural members of said panel engaging respectively the upper and lower parallel surfaces of said male connector and being secured thereto.

16. The framing system defined in claim 15 wherein said one panel is secured to a third panel and includes at the other edge thereof upper and lower horizontally extending structural elements which are vertically spaced apart a distance equal to the height of a vertical height equal to the vertical distance between upper and lower horizontally extending structural members provided on one edge of said fourth panel, the vertical member on said other panel extending into the space between the upper and lower structural members on said fourth panel and being secured thereto. 

1. A building structure comprising an external framing system for enclosing an interior space, said framing system having at least four substantially identical load supporting corner posts which are spaced apart and vertically extending wall components, one component for each side of the building structure, extending between and secured to each pair of adjacent corner posts to define the enclosed interior space, each corner post having a vertically extending elongated column, with the ends of the column being provided with oppositely facing overhanging edge portions to form a female receptacle with an adjacent vertical surface on the column, each column having a laterally extending vertical edge portion provided with upper and lower parallel surfaces and forming a male connector, each wall component at each side of the framing system including at one vertical edge thereof a vertically extending member having a height equal to the distance between the overhanging edge portions of the opposite corner post and which is received in the opposing female receptacle of the opposite corner post between said overhanging edge portions and secured thereto, each wall component at each side of the framing system including at the other vertical edge thereof upper and lower generally horizontally extending structural members which receive the male connector on the opposite column and engage respectively the upper and lower parallel surfaces of the vertical edge portion of the opposite corner post and are secured thereto.
 2. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein each wall component comprises a plurality of framing panels, said panels having identical vertical edges to permit the panels to be connected together and to the corner posts.
 3. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein each wall component comprises a plurality of framing panels, each framing panel including at one vertical edge thereof a vertically extending member and at the other vertical edge thereof upper and lower horizontally extending structural members to permit the panels to be connected together and to the corner posts.
 4. The building structure defined in claim 3 wherein the height of the vertically extending member and the height of the vertical space between the upper and lower structural members of each panel are equal, said panels having identical vertical edges to permit the panels to be connected together and to the corner posts.
 5. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein the wall component at each side comprises a plurality of framing panels which are connected together, one of the panels at one side being in the form of a door panel, said door panel being provided at the top and bottom at one vertical edge thereof with overhanging edge portions which are adapted to receive therebetween and to be secured to either a vertical member on an adjacent panel at said one side or the laterally extending vertical edge portion of the opposite corner post, whichever is closest, with the other vertical edge of the door panel having a vertically extending member which is adapted to fit between and to be secured to either the upper and lower horizontally extending structural members of another adjacent panel at said one side or to the overhanging edge portions of the opposite corner post, whichever is closest.
 6. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein the wall component at each side comprises a plurality of framing panels which are connected together, one of the panels at one side being in the form of a window panel, said window panel being provided at the top and bottom at one vertical edge thereof with overhanging edge portions which are adapted to receive therebetween and to be secured to either a vertical member on an adjacent panel at said one side or the laterally extending vertical edge portion of the opposite corner post, whichever is closest, with the other vertical edge of the window panel having a vertically extending member which is adapted to fit between and to be secured to either the upper and lower horizontally extending structural members of another adjacent panel at said one side or to the overhanging edge portions of the opposite corner post, whichever is closest.
 7. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein the wall component at each side comprises a plurality of interconnected framing panels having identical edge constructions, each of the panels at each side being provided at the top and bottom at one vertical edge thereof with overhanging edge portions which are adapted to receive therebetween and to be secured to the closest of either a vertical member on an adjacent panel at said one side or the laterally extending vertical edge portion of the opposite corner post with the other vertical edge of each panel having a vertically extending member which is adapted to fit between and to be secured to the closest of either the upper and lower horizontally extending structural members of an adjacent panel or to the overhanging edge portions of the opposite corner post.
 8. The building structure defined in claim 7 wherein said panels include door, window and wall panels, with the door panels being identical, the window panels being identical and with the wall panels being identical.
 9. The building structure defined in claim 7 wherein all of said panels have an identical outer peripheral configuration which permits said panels to be used interchangeably in the framing system.
 10. The building structure defined in claim 9 wherein the interior space is provided with an internal framing system including one or more internal framing panels and one or more internal corner posts, if required, to divide the interior space into smaller areas, each internal framing panel having the same identical outer peripheral configuration as the panels of the external framing system and each interior corner post being identical to the corner posts used in the external framing system, each internal panel being provided at the top and bottom at one vertical edge thereof with overhanging edge portions which are adapted to receive therebetween and to be secured to the closest of either a vertical member on an adjacent internal or external panel or to the laterally extending vertical edge portion of the opposite internal corner post, with each internal panel having a vertically extending member at the other vertical edge and being adapted to fit between and to be secured to the closest of either the overhanging edge portions on an internal corner post, or to the upper and lower horizontally extending structural members of an external or internal framing panel.
 11. The building structure defined in claim 1 wherein the interior space is provided with an internal framing system including one or more wall components and corner posts if required to divide the interior space into smaller areas, each interior wall component and corner post being substantially identical to the wall components and corner posts used in the external framing system.
 12. A framing system for a building comprising the combination of a load supporting corner post having a vertically extending elongated column and a pair of vertical panels secured to opposite portions of said corner post, the top and bottom surfaces of said column being flat and parallel, each of said top and bottom surfaces being divided into first and second zones, and upper and lower generally flat end caps overlying and being secured to the first zones of said top and bottom surfaces in parallel relation, said end caps including vertically aligned overhanging edge portions forming a female receptacle with an adjacent vertical surface on said column, said column having a laterally extending vertical edge portion including the second zones of said top and bottom surfaces, said vertical edge portion forming a male connector, one of said panels having at one edge thereof a vertical member having a height equal to the vertical distance between the aligned overhanging edge portions, the vertical member of said one panel being received in the female receptacle of said column and being secured to said end caps, the other of said panels including upper and lower horizontally extending structural members which are vertically spaced apart a distance equal to the height of the male connector of said column, the upper and lower structural members of said panel engaging respectively the second zones of the top and bottom surfaces of said column and being secured to said male connector.
 13. The framing system defined in claim 12 wherein said one panel is secured to a third panel and includes at the other edge thereof upper and lower horizontally extending structural elements which are vertically spaced apart a distance equal to the height of a vertical member provided on one edge of said third panel, said upper and lower structural members on said one panel engaging respectively and being secured to upper and lower surfaces of the vertical member on said third panel.
 14. The framing system defined in claim 13 wherein said other panel is secured to a fourth panel and includes at one edge thereof a vertical member having a height equal to the vertical distance between upper and lower horizontally extending structural members provided on one edge of said fourth panel, the vertical member on said other panel extending into the space between the upper and lower structural members on said fourth panel and being secured thereto.
 15. A framing system for a building comprising the combination of a load supporting corner post having a vertically extending elongated column and a pair of vertical panels secured to opposite portions of said corner post, with the ends of said column being provided with oppositely facing overhanging edge portions to form a female receptacle with an adjacent vertical surface on said column, said column having a laterally extending vertical edge portion provided with upper and lower parallel surfaces and forming a male connector, one of said panels having at one edge thereof a vertical member having a height equal to the vertical distance between the aligned overhanging edge portions, the vertical member of said one panel being received in the female receptacle of said column and being secured thereto, the other of said panels including upper and lower horizontally extending structural members which are vertically spaced apart a distance equal to the height of the male connector of saiD column, the upper and lower structural members of said panel engaging respectively the upper and lower parallel surfaces of said male connector and being secured thereto.
 16. The framing system defined in claim 15 wherein said one panel is secured to a third panel and includes at the other edge thereof upper and lower horizontally extending structural elements which are vertically spaced apart a distance equal to the height of a vertical member provided on one edge of said third panel, said upper and lower structural members on said one panel engaging respectively and being secured to upper and lower surfaces of the vertical member on said third panel.
 17. The framing system defined in claim 16 wherein said other panel is secured to a fourth panel and includes at one edge thereof a vertical member having a height equal to the vertical distance between upper and lower horizontally extending structural members provided on one edge of said fourth panel, the vertical member on said other panel extending into the space between the upper and lower structural members on said fourth panel and being secured thereto. 